The judging line-up for this year’s X Factor has been confirmed – but there is no place for Cheryl Cole.
Pop mogul Louis Walsh will be joined by Take That’s Gary Barlow, pop singer Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos of urban hip-hop band N-Dubz.
It means Mr Walsh is the only remaining judge from last year’s show after Mr Cowell left to launch the American version, taking Ms Cole with him. Dannii Minogue, 39, has also left the line-up.
Ms Cole, who has been axed from the American version of the show because of fears audiences would not understand her Geordie accent, is back in the UK trying to piece her career back together.
According to reports, the 27-year-old was given an offer by the British X Factor camp but refused to pick up her phone around the time of the deadline that was given to her.
Friends have claimed she is furious about her treatment and newspaper reports have suggested she is angry with X Factor supremo Simon Cowell for not giving her a chance to prove herself.
There was no reference to Ms Cole in the judging panel announcement and an ITV spokesman declined to discuss whether there would be any non-judging role for her on the show.
In a statement Mr Cowell praised the new line-up saying: “These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude.
“They have had a tonne of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star.
“I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like.”
Mr Barlow said: “I’m extremely excited about working on The X Factor. I’ve always been a fan of the show and always enjoyed performing on it too.
“My one goal is to find a global superstar. If I don’t find one, I won’t have done my job.”
Ms Contostavlos, 22, said she looked forward to bringing “something fresh” to the panel.
She added: “I’m not going to be afraid to speak my mind and mix things up a little.
“I am hoping to find some hot new talent and mentor a winning category. It is also going to be great to get to know and work alongside the other judges. Let the fireworks begin.”
Ms Rowland added that she was thrilled to be heading to one of her “favourite places in the world”.
She said: “The music coming out of the UK right now is incredible, with artists like Adele, Jessie J and James Blake, so I’m confident this season of The X Factor will give me opportunity to hear a few diamonds in the rough.
“Being a judge is never easy but I promise to be as sternly honest as I can and also encourage everyone who crosses the stage. I can’t wait to meet the world’s next superstar.”
Mr Walsh, a veteran of the talent show scene, said: “I’m delighted to be back for my eighth series of The X Factor, it’s my favourite job in the world and I’m really excited this year to work with Gary Barlow and the rest of the new panel.
“I’m the last original judge standing and I’m determined to find an act that can win this year and show the others how it’s done.”
The new panel begins its quest to uncover the best in singing talent with the first audition in Birmingham being held yesterday, continuing to Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, London and Liverpool.